The Prophetic Word: Poetry, Philosophy and Theology in Conversation
The Power of the Word International Conference V
Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford
13–16 September 2017
Organized by the Heythrop Institute for Religion and Society (Heythrop College, University
of London) and the Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture (Regent’s Park College,
University of Oxford).
Michelangelo, The Libyan Sibyl (Sistine Chapel)
The fifth Power of the Word international conference, to be held at Oxford in September
2017, focuses on the prophetic genius of literature, particularly of poetry. ‘Prophetic
genius’ is understood here to be that relentless impulse of literature to challenge the world
from which it has arisen and, looking beyond, to propose alternative visions, practicable or
utopian, of individual and collective fulfilment. In some authors – Dante, Milton and Blake
are three obvious examples – the prophetic word is overtly religious, in others – Virgil,
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Shelley and Yeats, say – it is not. Often the distinction becomes blurred, as in the poems of
H.D., Denise Levertov and Allen Ginsberg. The conference will explore this theme in
conversation with theology, philosophy, the three main Abrahamic religions and Greek and
Latin literature and learning, and address some universal questions. For example, what do
these various traditions and their understanding of the prophetic have in common? Are they
mostly different or even in conflict? How do their audiences discern true from false
prophets? How do they know when ‘good spirits not evil ones choose poets for their
instruments’ (Czesław Miłosz)? Can poets really claim to have a prophetic authority
comparable to that attributed in Scripture to the prophets? How persuasive is Seamus
Heaney’s sense of the ‘redress of poetry’, of its power to stimulate alternative ways of
being in the world?
The programme will include contributions by literary scholars, creative writers, theologians
and philosophers, all working on texts and authors from different backgrounds and
traditions. Confirmed keynote speakers: John Barton (University of Oxford), Tina Beattie
(University of Roehampton), William Franke (Vanderbilt University), Michèle Le Dœuff (ENS
Paris), Christopher Rowland (University of Oxford), Alessandro Schiesaro (University of
Manchester), and Mona Siddiqui (University of Edinburgh). The Conference will host a
poetry-reading event and a public lecture in relation to the topic of the conference.
Call for Papers
The Power of the Word 2017 invites contributions from established scholars and research
students in the fields of literary studies, biblical studies, theology and philosophy.
Theoretical reflections as well as discussions of individual texts and authors from different
countries and traditions are welcome. If you wish to give a paper (20 minutes), please send
a title and abstract of no more than 250 words, together with a brief curriculum vitae to
the executive team at [email protected] by 15 January 2017. Please include
your name on files containing your abstract and CV for ease of reference.
Within the theme, broadly defined as above, topics that may be addressed include:
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Prophetic voices in the ancient world (Tiresias; Cassandra; the Sibyls)
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Prophecy as poetry and poetry as prophecy in the Abrahamic religions
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The theology of prophecy in the Abrahamic religions
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Prophecy, providence and eschatology
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The poet as prophet, the poet as seer
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The theologian as prophet
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The philosopher as prophet
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True and false prophecy, and issues of discernment
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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––----------------------------------------The Power of the Word international conferences aim to initiate, foster and support
conversations between creative writers, literary scholars, philosophers, theologians,
biblical scholars and students of religions on topics of common interest and concern. From
their beginning in 2011 their deliberately interdisciplinary character has been a strong
feature with an appeal to a wide range of scholars and students. Initiated by Heythrop
College, University of London, in 2011, the conferences have been held in London (2011 and
2012), Gdańsk (2013) and Rome (2015).
Advisory Board (Conference V)
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Professor Piero Boitani (Sapienza University of Rome)
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Dr Francesca Bugliani Knox (Research Associate, Heythrop College, University of
London)
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Professor Mark Burrows (University of Applied Sciences, Bochum)
•
Professor Paul Fiddes (Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford)
•
Dr Michael Kirwan (Director, the Heythrop Institute for Religion and Society)
•
David Lonsdale (Heythrop College, University of London)
•
Professor Jay Parini (Middlebury College, Vermont)
•
Dr Antonio Spadaro SJ (Director, Civiltà Cattolica, Rome)
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Professor John Took (University College London)
•
Professor Jean Ward (University of Gdańsk)
Academic Planning Group
Dr Francesca Bugliani Knox, Dr Jamie Callison, Professor Paul Fiddes, Dr Michael Kirwan,
David Lonsdale and Professor John Took
Executive Team
Dr Jamie Callison, David Lonsdale and Emily Ross
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